WOUNDS. 241 



as necessary : that is, until complete recovery is brought 

 about, and mild stimulant and anodyne liniments should be 

 applied to the parts. Cold and hot applications will also 

 be found beneficial, and in some cases a slight vesicant may 

 be required to effect a complete cure. 



Wounds of the Groin. — Wounds here are usually of the 

 variety known as punctured wounds, and may be produced 

 in a variety of ways. 



Treatment. — If the ha3morrhage be excessive, the first 

 thing to be done is to check it. After which make a gentle 

 but thorough investigation, for the purpose of finding out, 

 if possible, what kind of an instrument produced the wound, 

 and if any foreign bodies be imbedded in the tissues they 

 are to be removed, after which the wound is to be thoroughly 

 cleansed, and fomentations, poultices, etc., freely used. 

 When any untoward results are apprehended, a laxative 

 may be given, after which, in case the occurrence of erysi- 

 pelas be feared a few doses of sodium hyposulphite will be 

 found of great service in preventing its appearance. It is 

 good practice in some cases, if the animal is plethoric and 

 strong, to make a pretty free abstraction of blood, and if 

 any sign of erysipelas appears, keep up fomentations, diet 

 carefully, etc. When suppuration occurs here it is diffuse, 

 and may burrow among the fascia and muscles. When pus 

 is formed allow it to escape ; often the quantity of pus 

 found is wonderful. Use carbolic acid dressings, etc. 



ABDOMINAL WOUNDS. 



Abdominal wounds may be caused in many ways : as by 

 jumping fences, being gored by a bull, jumping or falling 

 on a stake, etc. They are not attended by bad results, 

 unless they completely penetrate the abdominal wall. 



Treatment— li the wound is dirty it should be thoroughly 

 cleansed,thehsemorrhage,if excessive, being attended to first. 



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